AI for Science Strategy: UK universities' joint statement
Updated 20 March 2026
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DSIT’s AI for Science Strategy sets strategic direction for the UK’s scientific community during a time where the future of science is being re-shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). The integration of AI into science will drive innovation that improves people’s lives. We are already witnessing AI-enabled methods for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative illness, discovering new materials for producing and storing sustainable energy, and controlling the dynamic physical processes unfolding inside of fusion reactors or quantum computers.
The adoption of AI into science is a profound opportunity, but at the same time these developments have the potential to reshuffle global scientific standings. Despite external pressures, our scientific ecosystem is undeniably one of the UK’s greatest strengths, and concerted action in the coming years could be decisive in positioning the UK as a beneficiary of the change to come. By its nature the scientific method is always evolving, and UK universities are ready to adapt – as we have always done – to emerging paradigms.
We welcome the scale of ambition in the strategy, as well as its emphasis on the pivotal role universities will play in ensuring the UK reaps the rewards of AI for science. We are already moving to support government ambitions in this space by delivering specialist training, offering AI conversion courses, hosting AI for science fellowships, and expanding support for research technical professionals.
Moving forward, universities will retain a key role in a number of areas, including the:
- provision of training in AI methods
- creation of a research culture that incentivises and facilitates interdisciplinary research
- development of rewarding careers for technical staff
- building strategic relationships with industry
- promoting data standards.
In each of these domains, collective success will depend on a whole-ecosystem approach.
We look forward to working with DSIT and other partners to seize this opportunity and are eager to work with government as delivery begins.
Signatories
Professor Guy Poppy
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Bristol
Professor Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi
FRS FREng, Vice President (Research and Innovation), King’s College London
Professor Geraint Rees
Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement), University College London
Professor Anthony Hollander
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Impact, University of Liverpool
Professor Sir John Aston
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, University of Cambridge
Professor Roger Whitaker
Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise, Cardiff University
Professor Irene Tracey
Vice-chancellor, University of Oxford
Professor Archie Clements
Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research, Queen’s University Belfast
Professor Matthew Grenby
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Newcastle University
Professor Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Impact), University of Exeter
Professor Andrew Livingston
FRS FREng, Vice Principal (Research and Innovation), Queen Mary University
Professor Caroline Relton
Pro-Director for Research and Academic Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Professor Chris Pearce
Vice Principal (Research and Knowledge Exchange), University of Glasgow
This statement is open for signature. If you would like your institution to be named as a signatory, please contact Universities UK: info@universitiesuk.ac.uk.